April 20, 2009( Alpine)--Are you looking for ideas to “spruce up” your garden or yard? The Sage & Songbirds Garden Tour has a wealth of ideas for creating beautiful gardens that also provide wildlife-friendly habitat. The 12th annual event, set for May 1-3, spotlights five unique gardens, chock-full of plants, waterscapes, pathways, structures and other very interesting features.

Drawing to win a High-Efficiency Clothes Washer or Home Landscape Re-design April 18, 2009 (RANCHO SAN DIEGO)—On Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m,, Cuyamaca College’s campus will bloom with activity as three of its on-campus venues—the Ornamental Horticulture Department, the Water Conservation Garden,and the Heritage of the Americas Museum—invite the public to celebrate spring at their sixteenth annual Spring Garden Festival. “Conservation in Bloom” is the theme at this family festival that includes tips on green living, and both free admission and parking.

April 15, 2009 (Lakeside) The 45th annual Lakeside Rodeo has gained national exposure over the last 44 years, from a small hometown event to being named the International Professional Rodeo Association Rodeo (IPRA) of the year FOUR times! Events include bull-riding, bareback bronc, steer wrestling, team riding, and more. The annual Lakeside Rodeo held every April is the largest fundraiser for the El Capitan Stadium Association.

April 9, 2009 (Santee)—Carnival rides, a petting zoo, crafts, food, inflatables and pony rides are among the attractions planned for “Eggstravaganza at Santee Lakes” on Saturday, April 11th. Continuous egg hunts will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Egg hunts are limited to children eight and younger. The Easter Bunny will also be on hand—and “hoppy” to have photos taken with children.

There is a $4 parking cost at Santee Lakes, though admission to the event is free. Ride tickets cost 50 cents apiece. Cash only will be accepted at the event.

Wildflower Hike Planned April 16. 

April 1, 2009 (Borrego Springs) – It’s not too late to see Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in bloom. As we move past the peak flower time, the show is moving from the desert floor to canyons and higher elevations, where there are a wide variety of plants just beginning to bloom. Anza-Borrego Institute will offer a full-day hike among the flowers on the Pacific Crest Trail on Thursday, April 16 from 8:00 to 4:30, for $45 or $35 for ABFI members. Visit theABF.org for more details.  If you’re interested in venturing off the pavement for other hiking opportunities, here are prime locations to find blooms:

By Miriam Raftery April 1, 2009 (San Diego's East County)--Aloha! Viejas teams up with El Cajon to host a brand new festival on Saturday, April 4. The new "It's 5'clock Somewhere Party" includes transformation of a downtown warehouse into an inland "beach" paradise complete with tiki bar, Hawaiian food and music by Shipwrecked, a Jimmy Buffet-style band. Also this weekend, community members are invited to turn out for a Community Mural Project and "River Blitz," both hosted by the San Diego River Park Foundation. Need a laugh?

March 26, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — With the economy in the tank, many college students are staying in San Diego over spring break. So after you get sunburned at the beach, what’s there to do for the rest of the week? Check out our guide to the coolest spots to have fun in San Diego’s eastern region.

IT’S 5 O’CLOCK SOMEWHERE PARTY: On April 3rd, a warehouse at 131 Main St. in El Cajon transforms into a tropical resort complete with tiki bar, food, and live music by Shipwrecked, a Jimmy Buffet-style band. El Cajon Community Development Corporation is organizing the event, with the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce and the San Diego East Visitors Bureau. Food and Beverage Supporters: El Cajon Grand, Main Tap Tavern, Viejas, Rita’s Catering, New York Bakery, L&L Hawaiian Barbeque, Quiznos, Angus Smokehouse Barbecue, and Panda Express.Cost: $20 per person. Festivities run from 4:47 to 8 p.m. and the site is accessible via trolley with a few blocks walk. Aloha!

March 17, 2009 (San Diego)--San Diego Las Hermanas, a group of East County women who raise money for East County charities, is hosting Casino Night with the San Diego Las Hermanas Riverboat Queens on Friday, March 27. The spring fundraiser is being held aboard the William D. Evans Riverboat, launching from the Bahia Hotel in Mission Bay.

March 10, 2009 (Santee)--Santee invites the public to participate in "SanTree Fest," an Earth Day celebration from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 14th at Mast Park, located at 9125 Carlton Hills Blvd. Festivities begin at 9:45 with a nature walk departing from a trail entrance at the northwest side of the Wal-Mart parking lot. A community tree planting event follows at 10:15. Live bluegrass music by Virtual Strangers, kids' crafts, pot-a-plant with Lowe's, environmental and informational booths will also be available.

March 1, 2009 (San Diego's East County)--Spring is in the air! This month's events include street fairs, music festivals, St. Patrick's Day celebrating, stargazing, train rides, eco-events, nature hikes, a free job search program, a soap box derby, and a baseball contest where winners can advance to finals at a Major League All-Star game. Also a "running of the goats" in Crest. No bull...No Pamplona, Spain--just 250 goats running wild--we kid you not!

February 23, 2009 (El Cajon)--The 21st annual Grossmont College Pow-Wow, a celebration of American Indian culture, will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the college's Student Center. Admission is free. The day-long event, which begins at noon with gourd dancing and giveaways, features American Indian dancers and drummers. Vendors will sell American Indian cuisine, clothing, art and jewelry. The Grand Entry, a procession of about 100 dancers, begins at 6 p.m.

February 16, 2009 (Descanso)--Here's something to roar about--Lions, Tigers & Bears is hosting "Breakfast with Bakari", an African lion at big cat sanctuary in Descanso, just east of Alpine.

Guests are invited to enjoy breakfast, visit with 13 rescued cats, other farm animals and their caretakers. You can also watch lions and tigers frolicking in the new Tiger Trails exercise enclosure funded through donations and past fundraising events.

February 7, 2009 (El Cajon) -- Circus Vargas will present dazzling and death-defying feats in its 40th anniversary production, coming to El Cajon February 19th-23rd in the Parkway Plaza parking lot. Acrobats, clowns, magical illusionists, horses, motorcycles, music and dance are among the entertainment slated.

Early-birds will be treated to a preview show in which children of all ages will be invited into the center ring to experience life under the Big Top and received a crash course in circus skills such as juggling, feather balancing and hula-hooping.

February 1, 2009 (Ramona)--Each Saturday in February from 9 a.m to noon, the public is invited to visit the Ramona Grasslands with the Wildlife Research Institute, Inc. for a free educational program. You will see raptors such as the Golden Eagle, the wintering Ferruginous Hawk, the Red-tailed Hawk, Prairie Falcon and the Red-shouldered Hawk. Nineteen (19) species of raptors alone have been recorded at this Raptor Hotspot.